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ASU Offense vs Mizzou Porous Defense?
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badgerwolf Offline
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<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:orange'>In recent years, porous defense has cost Missouri countless games. This season, look for the defense to actually win games for the Tigers.
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The following is from the St Louis Post-Dispatch; the online version is at http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports



Here's a switch: Defense might actually win games for Mizzou


BY JEFF GORDON
Post-Dispatch Online Sports Columnist
08/26/2004

Online Columnist Jeff Gordon



COLUMBIA, Mo. -- There are several milestones a college football program must reach before becoming truly big time.

And here is a big one: A program must build so much depth that top-flight offensive players cross over and become top defensive players.

Landing skilled offensive players isn't all that hard. Kids want to handle the rock and they don't want to ride the bench. They migrate to whatever school will give them the football.

There are 80 or 90 Division I schools with sufficient talent at quarterback, running back and receiver.

But getting great players to fill defensive roles, well, that is VERY difficult for fledgling programs. That is why Missouri hasn't kept up with the high-end Big 12 Conference schools.

Until now, that is.

For the first time in memory, the Tigers have a defense with speed, strength, experience and depth. This vastly improved unit has attracted players like David Richard, an outstanding running back/linebacker at Hazelwood East High.

Richard rushed for 654 yards and five touchdowns at Michigan State back in 2002 before transferring to Mizzou. He came here to play running back, but elected to switch to linebacker to seize an opportunity to start.

"I asked myself at the end of last year, how could I help my team out the best coming into this season," Richard said. "I believe I am, I will be, a big help on the defensive side of the ball."

Back at Hazelwood East, he earned a number of national honors at both running back and linebacker.

"I've always had a defensive mentality," he said. "Even running the ball, I look for contact. I'm just a person that loves to hit. This is a great position for me."

By moving to linebacker in the spring – and excelling almost instantly – Richard helped convince the Missouri staff to shift from a 4-2-5 defense to the traditional 4-3 defensive front.

"I think it allows us to stop the run a little more," he said. "You have another linebacker in the box, which is myself, I think we'll do a good job stopping the run this year."

When coach Gary Pinkel arrived at Missouri from Toledo, the Tigers' defense was in disarray. But the unit appears to be loaded.

Defensive tackle C.J Mosley has drawn some preseason All-America attention. Fellow tackle Atiyyah Ellison and defensive end Brian Smith will be candidates for all-conference honors.

Linebacker James Kinney is another Tiger drawing preseason all-America attention. This position, lately a weak spot for Mizzou, now features unprecedented speed, athleticism and depth.

The same could be said in the secondary, where the competition for playing time continues to be fierce.

"We have a lot of veterans coming back from last year, a lot of great talent," Richard said. "We have a lot of people looking to lead this defense to the right direction we need to go to."

In recent years, porous defense has cost Missouri countless games. This season, look for the defense to actually win games for the Tigers.

"We just want to improve every day," Richard said. "We don't know how we're actually doing overall, but we know we're getting better as the practices go along. We just want to take those steps, so when the first game comes, we're ready to go."
08-29-2004 11:45 AM
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